The Swamp Critters of Lost Lagoon
Encyclopedia
The Swamp Critters of Lost Lagoon was a 1995 American children's television series created by Bobby Goldsboro
. Targeted for children aged 2 to 6, the show featured characters brought to life by actors. Goldsboro wrote the scripts and music, played all the instruments, and even did all the character voices for the show. The show aired on PBS and The Learning Channel and, according to the show's website, currently airs on Dish Network
and the America One Television Network.
, which are used to control their facial expressions and mouth movements.
Bobby Goldsboro
Bobby Goldsboro is an American country and pop singer-songwriter. He had a string of Pop and Country hits during the 1960s and 1970s, including his signature #1 classic "Honey," which sold well over one million copies in the United States.-Early life:Goldsboro was born in Marianna, Florida...
. Targeted for children aged 2 to 6, the show featured characters brought to life by actors. Goldsboro wrote the scripts and music, played all the instruments, and even did all the character voices for the show. The show aired on PBS and The Learning Channel and, according to the show's website, currently airs on Dish Network
Dish Network
Dish Network Corporation is the second largest pay TV provider in the United States, providing direct broadcast satellite service—including satellite television, audio programming, and interactive television services—to 14.337 million commercial and residential customers in the United States. Dish...
and the America One Television Network.
Band
- Billy Bob Possum (lead singer, bass player), the problem-solver of the group
- Joe Raccoon (banjo/guitar, harmonica, saxophone, vocals)
- Gumbo the Fiddler Crab (fiddle)
- Ribbit E. Lee (drums, vocals)
- Ima Dilla (dancer)
- "Big Al" Gator (piano, accordion, vocals), also the owner of the cafe where the Swamp Critters normally play
Development
Goldsboro funded the show out of his own pocket instead of getting investors to back it. According to him, "the minute somebody puts in money, they think they have the right to say, 'You know, Barney is so successful, why don't you make that alligator purple instead of green?' I've got enough to worry about without having to appease somebody else." Goldsboro also decided to start the show on a PBS affiliate rather than on a network affiliate. According to him, if he had gone to a network he "would have had to have a lot more action on the show. On the network shows, everything is fast cuts and fast movements. They think that's what kids want to see in this day and age of video games."Music
Each half-hour episode contains four to six songs, with the music ranging from blues and Dixieland jazz to pop and classical. For the first two seasons, over 100 songs were written. According to Goldsboro, "it's music that's on a children's show but it's not children's music. I've never understood talking down to kids and treating them like they're imbeciles. Several shows do that."Animatronics
Each of the main characters' costume heads contains over $20,000 worth of animatronicsAnimatronics
Animatronics is the use of mechatronics to create machines which seem animate rather than robotic. Animatronic creations include animals , plants and even mythical creatures...
, which are used to control their facial expressions and mouth movements.
Cast and crew
- Billy Bob Possum - Charlie Rose
- Joe Raccoon-Paul W. Taylor (Pilot); Jeff W. Maddux (Series)
- Big Al Gator Joe "Mudfish" Hitch
- Ima Dilla Armadillo - Dianne Goldsboro
- Gumbo Fiddler Crab - Puppeteer -Daniel. W. Peeler
- Phinneas Fatrat - various
- Ribbit E. Lee - Jim Demetrius
- Director - Daniel W. Peeler
- Storyboards, costume fabrication, puppets - Peeler-Rose Productions, Dallas, TX
- Sets, props - Jim Demetrius